A construction barge broke loose on the Beaver River in Beaver Falls yesterday and wedged itself against the Eastvale dam, briefly prompting officials to shut down two nearby bridges while crews figured out how bad the situation could get. Video from the scene shows the loose barge pressed up against the dam as fast water churns around it. No injuries were reported, but emergency responders warned that if the barges shifted, they could pose a risk to infrastructure along the river.
According to CBS Pittsburgh, a Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission spokesperson said contractors working on a Turnpike bridge project upriver lost control of multiple barges early Thursday. One barge became lodged on the Eastvale dam while another drifted nearby. Beaver County Emergency Services Director Eric Brewer told the outlet, "Luckily, they're not loaded, so they're telling me that's a good sign."
Contractors And Crews On Scene
Construction firm S&B USA said one of the three runaway barges had already been recovered and that a full recovery plan for the remaining equipment was in the works, WLWT reported. The company said, "We have people on the scene and are cooperating with local authorities," as municipal crews and contractor teams jointly monitored conditions around the dam.
Bridges Briefly Closed
The City of Beaver Falls Police Department announced on Facebook that the Beaver Falls/Eastvale Bridge and the Beaver Falls/New Brighton Bridge were closed while officials checked for any immediate danger. Both crossings were later reopened, according to local reports. Beaver County Radio and CBS Pittsburgh reported that PennDOT inspectors found no structural damage to the bridges in an initial review.
Why Officials Are Cautious
Beaver Falls Municipal Authority maintenance superintendent Tim Pyle told WLWT that crews were keeping a close eye on the dam’s stability, noting that one section had been repaired in 2017. He said river levels surged from about eight feet to nearly 12 feet before the barges broke free. Officials plan to wait until the water comes down before attempting to move the remaining barges in order to avoid putting extra stress on the structure.
What To Expect Next
Contractors said salvage work on the stuck barges will be put on hold until river levels drop and conditions are safe for heavy equipment. County emergency crews said they will continue to monitor the area. Beaver County Radio reported that as of midday, both sections of the barge setup remained pinned at the dam, and crews stayed on site.
Salvage teams have already recovered one barge and will move to free the others once the river cooperates. Drivers can expect occasional traffic changes around the Eastvale and New Brighton crossings while the recovery operation continues.
